Thirlwall Inquiry: Timeline

Key dates in the inquiry's progress, assembled from its recorded milestones and hearing phases.

Hearing-phase dates are taken from the published hearing days; some earlier milestone dates are approximate where the inquiry has not published an exact date.

Milestones & hearing phases

Milestone Hearing phase Reports & costs Still to come
19 Oct 2023
Inquiry Announced
Health Secretary Steve Barclay announced a statutory inquiry following Lucy Letby's conviction.
19 Oct 2023
Chair Appointed
Lady Justice Thirlwall appointed as Chair of the Inquiry.
22 Feb 2024
Terms of Reference Published
Terms of Reference set to examine events at Countess of Chester Hospital.
10 Sep 2024 to 19 Mar 2025
Evidential hearings
62 sitting days
30 Sep 2025
Costs to date: £17.3m
Cumulative expenditure Sep 2023 - Sep 2025
12 May 2026
Report expected after summer recess
The Inquiry stated the final report will be published at the earliest practical date, after the summer recess of Parliament.
To be confirmed
Final report (to be confirmed)
The inquiry has not yet reported.